Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and City Comptroller William
C. Thompson, Jr. today announced that the City has entered into negotiations
with Sanford Golf Design for the contract for the design and construction
management of a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course at Ferry Point Park in the
Bronx. Sanford Golf Design submitted the top-scoring proposal in an open
procurement competition to choose a designer and construction manager. The golf
course, to be a world-class, 18-hole, links-style layout for use as a public
course, will be built as a City-funded capital project. A public hearing on the
proposed award will be held at 10:00 AM on June 26, 2008 at 22 Reade Street in
Manhattan. Once the construction work is underway, the City will release a
separate Request for Proposals (RFP) for an operator to run the golf course as a
concession and to make some capital investment, such as the construction of a
clubhouse and restaurant. The City estimates that the course could be built by
the fall of 2010.

“The selection of Sanford Golf Design for negotiations
to turn a former landfill into a world class golf course is encouraging progress
for Ferry Point Park,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “The City is another step closer to
hiring the team that will design and construct the course on top of the
foundation already in place, eventually creating another world-class amenity for
New Yorkers and visitors to enjoy. A links course in the Bronx will be a great
addition to the public parkland courses already in place.”

“Today’s announcement shows that the City is moving
swiftly to bring a world-class recreational facility to the Northeast Bronx,”
said Comptroller Thompson. “I applaud the Mayor, his staff and the City for its
diligence and hard work to move this project ahead. While I have in the past
expressed concerns about delays, I am pleased that the City recognizes that it
is in the interest of all New Yorkers to quickly move forward to ensure that the
goal of turning this former municipal landfill into an attractive recreational
destination is accomplished. My hope is that in the near future, all can benefit
from not just a golf course but a waterfront community park and playground.”

“The plan for a world-class golf course at Ferry Point
Park has been a priority for the Northeast Bronx for nearly 30 years,” said
Council Member James Vacca, whose district includes Ferry Point Park. “Every
step toward that goal is important, and today’s announcement sends another clear
message to the people of my community that the City remains committed not only
to the golf course project but also to completing it as quickly as possible.”

Ferry Point Park, a discontinued landfill, is near the
Whitestone Bridge and bounded by the Hutchinson River Parkway, the East River,
Schley Avenue, Emerson Avenue and Balcom Avenue. The discontinued landfill is
being developed under the conditions of a New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation permit. The site features impressive views of the
East River, Manhattan skyline, and of the Whitestone and Throgs Neck Bridges. In
addition to the golf course, Ferry Point will include two parks currently being
designed with community input. A new 7-acre community park will include a Little
League and a junior baseball field, basketball courts, a play area for children
and a pedestrian trail. Construction on the community park is expected to begin
in the Summer of 2008 and be completed in the Fall of 2009. A separate 20-acre
waterfront promenade will convert undeveloped parkland into a waterfront park
with views of the Long Island Sound, paths with seating, educational signage and
access to the water.